Key-opening-can structure



Nov. 22, 1927. 1,650,061

w. E. BURNS KEY OPENING CAN STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 11. 1926 INVENTOR I Bel/Mined Eur/2.;

flnuZZu/Vfl ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 22, 1927.

UNITED, ISTATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILFRED E. BURNS, OF BUBLINGAME, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO M. J. B. CO., 01' SAN FRANCISCO. CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

KEY-OPENING-CAN STRUCTURE.

Application filed November 11, 1926. Serial No. 147,761.

This invention relates to key opening can structures as used in connection with can goods generally, and especially to such structures wherein a tearing strip is provided which is wound upon the key in order to strip it from and thereby release the upper end of the can held by the strip.

The obj ectsof the invention are to provide a more efficient key and a better assembly of the key and can for shipment.

In the drawings hereto one embodiment of my invention is shown assembled with the can in Fig 1, detached in Fig. 2, engaged with the end of the strip to release the same from the can in Fig. 3 and engage with the strip in winding position in Fig. 4.

In further detail Fig. 1 shows in perspective the upper portion of a can 1 with my key 2 arranged substantially flush in a recess 3 in the top 4 of the can.

This recess 3 is of similar form but slightly larger than the key which positions within it and is made with a gentle slope from the fiat bottom of the recess outwardly as indicated by the shading.

The key is of flat punched metal and ll provided with a small hole in its handle in which a small drop of solder 5 lightly fastens the key in place, while adjacent the remote or winding end of the key the recess is extended laterally as shown at 3'-so that the finger or a pencil may be placed against the end of the key to move it in a lateral direction, say as in the direction of the small arrow marked on the drawing, and whereupon the key will twist slightly upon the solder spot 5 until it. strikes the outwardly slanting edges of the depression to then rise out of the depression and thus break loose from the solder.

When released the key appears as in Fig. 2 and will be seen to be formed with a relatively large flat handle portion 2 apertured at 5' for the solder spot mentioned, and provided with an elongated fiat shank 6 having a. reduced neck at 7 slotted at 8 adapted to receive the end 9 of the tearing strip 9 of the can.

Also, the lower end of the shank is beveled at 10 to form a somewhat sharpened edge.

To open the can with this key, it is first used 1n the manner shown in Fig.3, the chisel-like edge being inserted beneath the free end 9 of the strip and the same forced outwardly as indicated.

The slot of the key is then fitted over the strlp as lndicated in Fig. 4 which shows a portion of the upper edge of a typical tearmg strip can 1n section, and the key wound around in the usual way to tear off the strip.

When the key is in winding position as shown in Fig. 4 it will be noted that the under edge of the flat handle 2 bears against the upper edge of the can to align the strip with the slot, and also'that the lower portlOIl' 6 belng wlder than the neck portion 7 forms a square shoulder at 11 which aligns the first few layers of the tin tearing strip as it 1s wound around the key, and thus insures a proper start, while the handle bearlngagainst the upper edge of the can prov1des against any creeping out of alignment of lacy and strip as with the keys heretofore use I claim: 1. A key opening can structure comprismg a can provided with a depression in one end, an opening key for the can positioned in the depression and lightly soldered in.

1place through an aperture formed in the 2. A key opening can structure comprismg a can provided with a depression in one end, an opening key for the can positioned in the depression and lightly soldered in place through an aperture formed in the key, said key being of flat metal and the aperture'located in a flat handle portion of the key.

3. A key opening can structure comprisin a can provided with a depression in one en an opening key for the can positioned in the depression and lightly soldered in place through an aperture formed in the key, said depression being formed to freely receive an opening key for the can ositioned in the twisting same loose from the solder and said depression and lightly so dered in place depression having walls inclined at their through an aperture formed in the key, said juncture to the bottom of the depression for I depression being formed to freely receive forcing the key outwardly as it is being 5 the key to substantially flush position and twiste provided with a lateral extension whereby a portion of the key may be engaged for -WILFRED E, BURNS. 

